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face powder

When it comes to makeup, I always feel incomplete without face powder. It feels so wrong when I apply everything: eyebrow makeup, mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush and lipstick – without powder on my face! You can’t blame me, applying face powder is one of the major or basic essentials in makeup. Things such as concealers, bronzers, contour and highlights got popular in this generation only. But in the past years, as old as the Renaissance age, face powder is already used by aristocrats.

Types of Face Powders

As time goes by, however, applying face powder becomes a complicated thing. There are already types of face powders for different purposes. Good thing I managed to catch up because when I was younger, I was already contented with my powder compact. Seems that in this generation, women are already looking for different effects on their faces such as the plain and simple type, some glamorous shimmer in formal occasions, and the tropical dewy skin.

Loose Powder

Typically, loose powder comes in containers such as small jars. It is preferably applied with a kabuki brush because it is finer than most face powders. Its purpose is to give the face a light hint of powder. But, since it is too fine, loose powder becomes messy to use with all the puffing and spreading all over the place. That’s why loose powder is meant to use at home. Loose powder is meant for a fast puff before going somewhere.

Pressed Powder

Now, this is more popular for daily use. You don’t need to be a pro in makeup to use pressed powders because this is made in the form of our go-to makeup savior – powder compact. The downside of pressed powders is what we noticed in many women – a cake-y face. It is all because of how big its particles are, way bigger than loose powder. But, it is the most convenient type to use when you have someplace to go to.

Finishing Powder

Also known as HD powder, finishing powder is usually used by professional makeup artists especially for photoshoots, pageants, films and television appearances. It provides a high definition effect because of its white and smooth coverage. It is standard to use this as the final layer of powder on the face.

MAC Cosmetics

Setting Powder

This is probably my most favorite type of face powder. Setting powder is more convenient to use than loose powder. It has better effect than pressed powder. It is also faster to use than finishing powder. The main purpose of setting powder is to avoid an oily or shiny look on the face after using foundation. It also aims to prolong the stay of powder on the face to avoid a series of retouches that can be such a hassle. The best part about setting powder is that there are so many affordable alternatives for this, especially the setting powders sold in drugstores. Aside from its affordability many of the best drugstore setting powder are easy to pick up from local drug store and have many options to choose from.

Ben Nye

Tips on Using Setting Powder

Because setting powder is the perfect blend of professional finish yet convenience in application and budget, I recommend not forgetting to include this in your makeup kit. To avoid mistakes in applying setting powder, I’m going to give you tips on how to use it:

The Right Brush and Technique to Use

Use a soft yet thick brush in medium or large size. Before applying the setting powder, tap it first to shake off excess. If you forget to do this, it would be a waste of powder since your face can’t possibly absorb everything in the brush. Besides, it would be too messy if the tapping part is not done.

Now, don’t spread the powder immediately once the brush touches your face. You have to press the brush gently on your cheek first. Then, slowly make circular motions with the brush for an even powder coverage.

To ensure smoother coverage, I use an extra brush that’s small but still soft to remove excess powder on skin. But, that’s just me being meticulous. If you don’t have extra brushes, it is fine. Just press a soft cloth on areas with excess powder. Don’t wipe the area though. Gentle pats will do.

The Right Technique under the Eyes

Honestly, I disliked this part of makeup process in the past. I found it difficult to balance substances I apply on areas under my eyes. My concealer used to look distracting because of creases and uneven color. Good thing I learned that after putting a minimal amount of concealer under my eyes, I need to use a small yet thick, soft brush basically used for blending eyeshadow. But, you should not use this small brush to blend the concealer and powder. Just press it on top of areas with concealer. For blending, use the same brush you’re using for the whole face.

The Right Way to Use a Powder Puff

Powder puff is usually underestimated because it looks outdated. It is often associated with grandmothers. But, this is actually useful for oily skin types. The right technique to achieve flawless makeup with a puff is putting only a light amount of powder underneath it and tapping excess off on the back of your hand before application. Then, you just have to roll it gently and evenly all over the face. To ensure ultimate smoothness, use a brush to remove excess powder on your face.

Factors to Consider in Choosing the Right Setting Powder

Another mistake you can encounter with setting powder is not choosing the right one for your skin. Here are two important things you should think about before purchasing a setting powder:

Translucence

To play on the safe side, use translucent setting powder. This type of setting powder just go for texture, not changing the color of your foundation. It is also very light, so it gives a more natural look. It is perfect for all skin tones since it doesn’t have a tint. Translucent setting powder is colorless but gives a slight shine on your face.

Tint or Color

This is great for darker skin tones. If the color of your foundation is too bright for your skin, correct the tone with tinted or colored setting powder. But, it doesn’t darken the skin completely. It still gives a brighter vibe but not overwhelming for dark skin. It also balances out red areas on your face due to natural or artificial things such as rash and too much blush.

Final Thoughts

Makeup gets more complicated as years pass, doesn’t it? But, look at the bright side – this happens because of easy access to makeup tutorials on blogs and YouTube. Even if makeup gets complex, you will definitely learn it with patience and dedication. At least now, for starters, you already know how setting powder differs from other types of face powders.